Principium: The Beginning
Welcome to an introductory lesson into the world of Latin! This website will encompass all aspects of the language, including grammar rules, the culture of the Ancient Romans, and mythological stories.
About Me
Jonathan Woo
Since the moment my sixth-grade teacher taught a Latin class, I fell in love with the language. Now a high schooler in the Bay Area, I have 7 years of experience under my belt, completing the highest Latin level offered at my school and obtaining college credit for my performance on the AP Latin Exam. ​I also have received numerous achievements throughout the years for my performance on various levels of the National Latin Exam. Last summer, I received a grant to lead a beginning Latin course to rising fourth through sixth graders. Enlightened by this teaching experience, I was inspired to pursue the creation of this website.
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Besides translating the Aeneid, I play soccer, the piano, golf, listen to music, read, and go thrifting in my free time. My love for mythology can be attributed to the Percy Jackson series, having read both the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus as a child.
Why Should I Even Study Latin?
My Least Favorite 5 Word Sentence
Having talked to many people about taking Latin before, one of their first comments is always: "Latin is a dead language." Well, I am here to put that stereotype to rest.
Academics
As I will get to later, Latin's sentence structure and grammar require intense focus and precise analytical thinking. A simple long mark change can alter the meaning of an entire sentence if one is not paying attention.
Additionally, about 60% of all English words originate from Latin. Studying Latin can strengthen one's reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
Mythology
One of my favorite parts of Latin is learning about its mythological stories! Unlike any other language that you will study, many of these stories have a huge cultural impact today whether in branding or movies.
Relevance
Contrary to popular belief, Latin is still used today. Many famous idioms and school mottos are in Latin. Classical ideas in law, government, and medicine also influence how people persuade and write. Learning Latin can help you be more informed of these ideas once you start looking around.
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Basic Grammar & Sentence Structure
Subject--Object--Verb Order
Unlike English, Latin uses a SOV order when writing sentences. This means that the action, also known as the verb, goes at the very end. Additionally, Latin words use different endings depending on the function of the noun or verb in the sentence. For example, Hello in Latin can either mean Salve (talking to one person) or Salvete (talking to multiple people).
Grammar
Rather unfortunately, much of these grammar rules can only be remembered through practice and memory as you progress on your journey. With 6 noun cases, 5 declensions, and a requirement for words to agree with each other in person, number, and case, Latin is an extremely precise language. However, personally I appreciate technical expertise that is unlike any language you will study.
Culture: Who Were the Romans?
Who were the Romans?
As important as it is to learn about the language itself, I have learned that it is equally as significant to study the people who spoke it. Educating yourself on the culture of earlier speakers sparks a greater connection as you begin to speak it yourself. I have found that learning Latin can also double as a history class as you learn about the Ancient Romans.
The First Speakers of Latin
The Roman civilization was a powerful society that grew from a small Italian city into a vast empire spanning Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Known for their military, political, engineering, and architectural achievements, they built roads, aqueducts, and monumental structures like the Colosseum, and spread the Latin language and culture widely. Their civilization evolved from a kingdom and republic to a dominant empire, leaving a lasting legacy on modern languages, governments, law, and architecture.
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Notable People: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Trajan, Nero.
Mythology
Greek vs. Roman Mythology
One of my personal favorite areas of Latin is the mythology section. Not to be confused with each other, Greek and Roman Mythology possess many similarities. However, the Ancient Greeks came approximately 400 years before the Romans. When they coexisted as neighbors, the Romans decided to adopt the Pantheon of Gods into their own religion, with the new gods possessing the same powers but different names.
The Olympians & Stories
The 12 Olympians are the main deities in Greek mythology and are as followed: Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite,, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, Hestia, and Dionysus. From these 12, most of the famous stories involve these central figures.
My personal favorite myths are Romulus & Remus, Theseus & the Minotaur, and Heracles & the 12 Labors. Another interesting fact to consider is that without the ability to write, these myths had to be passed down orally for countless generations.
